How do YOU write songs?

[Young Angus]

Re: How do YOU write songs?

Ill start out with an idea for a song, usually inspired by something thats happening or someone (a girly ) and ill write the lyrics before i even come up with any music. Thats what ive been doing sofar anyway.

Wrote a couple of soppy love songs for my now ex-girlfriend and i must say they weren't too bad...at least she thought so anyway

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: How do YOU write songs?

I approach songwriting in 2 ways. The first was is the accidental way. I jam on ideas until I hear something I like, figure out what key it's in, and then start working up riffs that support it. I try to go with the most natural sounding progression, to my ears, tho oftentimes I have to teach myself the parts as I write them. The second is the planned approach, where I deliberately model a riff off of something I like, and then develop it from there.

Sometimes a lyric from the singer will inspire a particular song. For example, when my singer handed me a lyric over a year ago for a song called 'Gift of the Southern Oracle', I knew what I wanted to do, and I even knew what key I wanted it in (F#m), but it still took me a very long time to develop the riffs to where I liked it. I ended up going with this bizarre 10/4 melodic line over 4/4 drums, but it sounds very natural ...

For me, naturalness is the key to writing unique things.

 

[strat_master]

Re: How do YOU write songs?

punk bands tend to favour power chords because of the distortion involved. I like punk alot and love blink 182, so i would say melody is the most important. Either it be in your lyrics and singing or in guitar its critical. Even if you have to chnage the chords to fit the melody do it. Also nice little fills and leads to follow the power chords will help ALOT. Maybe add a 10 second solo of some sort could also add to it, possibly take the solo and make it go along with the melody? Thats just my idea on song writing.

 

[ShredMAN]

Re: How do YOU write songs?

I generally fiddle around with chords or melodies I think of in my head, then I form a song around that one part. Other times I just get tons of small riffs I have made up already, but have no use for, and move them on the fretboard so they match up; this makes a beast of a song

 

[BornToShred]

Re: How do YOU write songs?

punk is simple, but try and keep fast palm muting for a whole set and you'll get wrist cramp if your not relaxed

This applies to metal too.